Good day,
Life is a about expectation management, so it is really depending on what you expect. And do some due diligence / pro&cons analysis for Netherlands to be compared with what you are living now (Portugal??). this is crucial if you have family but I think it is also important if you would like to spend the next xx years in Netherlands as part of your career path.
From engineer to engineer. But I am mechanical and responsible for family of four (wife and two kids)
Things to know in general about Netherlands for your consideration:
-Generally safe, respect general discipline (on-time, how to drive, not to trash, etc.) and (aside from specific parts of traditional Netherlands) they do understand and can reply English. More appreciated if one can at least try to speak Dutch.
-Nothing (and really nothing) is free in Netherlands. It will cost you at some point, I will elaborate this later
-To survive here, assertiveness is a must. Nobody will give it to you
-Do it yourself country
-Nobody want to get sick, but if you need a doctor or even specialist, unless your bleeding or highly infected, then you need to have an appointment to see doctor (in some crowd areas, this appointment may be the next 1 or 2 days regardless the pain you bear)
-Health insurance is a must. Most of us have” eigen resico”, meaning the first let say 400-700 EUR of medical expense per year to be paid by yourself
-You are what you have learn / gain experiences until your retirement age. It is rare if you are a civil engineer and in the next two or even more years you can switch to other roles
-Depending on the company, paid leaves is circa 28 days to 35 days per year (excluding public holiday which most of them is usually between February to May)
-Working hours is predetermined, thus the general working hours including public area are: Tuesday to Saturday (08.00/09.00 to 20.00), Monday some stores are close, Sunday from 12.00 to 18.00. for smaller cities, it could be more extreme and have narrower working hours
-Discipline is enforced. Break the rules will cost you fine. In the cities area is controlled by handhaving (blue jacket uniform), parking by the parking personnel, general traffic by police, not paying tax, etc by the government (gemeente)
-Basic needs such as groceries across Netherlands is relatively the same. Except for housing and tax, which city area is higher in terms of value
Don’t want to diminish your dream, but you should ask more detail for the offer. For me it is too good to be true for not so unique expertise. No offense
-Your visa is it skilled migrant (30% tax) or normal (circa 50-52% tax)
-Period of contract and visa?
-3,000 EUR, is it Netto? Eventhough this is possible, but is quite unlikely since the exact figure of net salary usually comes from the tax department and not the recruiter. Unless there is excess amount of tax needed to be paid every year by yourself.
-City?? This is crucial depending are you a city or metropolitan people or you can stand a village
-Accommodation excluding energy. What is the energy threshold that is your right?? Can you register your name to the accommodation entitled for you?
-Do you have to pay tax for your housing (water tax, drainage tax, road tax, housing tax)??
-Company car? Most likely the risk is split between the user (you) and the leaser (your company). So, do you have to pay some percentage of the lease or only pay for gasoline and parking within your neighborhood?
- if this is permanent position, are you entitled for 13th (december salary+) and 14th salary (some company do have performance bonus)? In addition with tax return (circa July)? if contract, do you receive one of this as well?
In general, if I were you (not married, single, want to try new challenge, can kill boredom by your own, etc.) and the offer is too good to be true 3,000 EUR net in addition of free car and housing (and parking spot) without the obligation to pay tax by yourself. Yes, I would take it.
The cost for meal without nightlife is approximately 500-800/month, gym membership 20-40 eur/month, site seeing cost would not be that expensive. For social live and treat yourself a Portugal or exotic meal every now and then it is really up to you
Just from my experiences.
Wish you all the best.
Kind regards,
Danlap
How to meet new people in the Netherlands
Lifestyle in the Netherlands
Accidents and emergencies in the Netherlands
Developing your social circle in Amsterdam
Phones and Internet in the Netherlands
Things to do on weekdays in Amsterdam
Studying in Amsterdam
The work culture in Amsterdam
